Architecture Commons^™

Designing For The Brain: Neuroarchitecture, Isabella Schutte

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

This capstone explores how principles from neuroscience can inform the design of micro-scale architectural environments to support emotional well-being and cognitive clarity. Through research, sensory analysis, immersive VR testing, and physiological and perceptual data collection, the project investigates how elements such as light, materiality, form, and atmosphere influence human experience. By comparing existing, aesthetic, and neuroscience-informed environments, the study suggests that intentional sensory design may better support restoration, stress regulation, and overall well-being within everyday spaces.

The Legacy Of Lead: Lead Exposure's Harmful Effects And Its Concentration In Poc Communities, Layla Sophronia Barber

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis examines the disproportionate burden of lead exposure carried by low income, POC communities. The systemic nature of this problem is a symptom of a longstanding legacy of environmental injustice in the United States. Decades of federal neglect are reflected in the higher statistics of lead exposure and poisoning in predominantly black communities. While it is understood that lead exposure poses a serious threat to physical health and early cognitive development, there is a discouraging lack of urgency to remove the toxin from non-wealthy communities. The material covered by this thesis aims to identify and correct the discriminatory social …

Green Infrastructure As A Strategy For Revitalizing Old Residential Neighborhoods: Evaluation Of Carbon Footprint And Energy Performance - Case Study Of Heliopolis, Cairo, Ahmad Abouisaadat, Eman Gameel, Shoroq Adel

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study aims to address the challenge of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in urban areas, particularly in aging residential neighborhoods. Despite the benefits of Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) and residential retrofitting, current research often examines these strategies separately, leaving a gap in understanding their combined impact at the district scale. The research proposes a methodology that integrates GIS-based spatial analysis, Urban Building Energy Modeling (UBEM), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the effects of UGI (e.g., green roofs, urban trees) and retrofitting strategies on energy use, CO2 reduction, and urban microclimates. The study will provide …

Mapping The Void In Electric Vehicle (Ev) Adoption Research: Uncovering Lack Of Socio-Economic Study In The Global South, Satvik Pandey, Rahul Tiwari, Rajat Soni

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are considered an effective contemporary alternative to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. Research in the domain of EV is being conducted globally across a variety of fields; among them, our study explored research on consumer adoption. Going through the bibliometric analysis of the data taken from the Scopus database, what came to our attention is the minimal amount of work that is done on understanding consumers of EVs. From the literature, we found that consumer preferences are shaped through the influence of several parameters related to EVs, and this influence varies according to the consumer’s socio-economic and …

2026 - The Thirtieth Annual Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the 30th Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 22-24, 2026. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

Cost Analysis Formulation For Pv–Evcs–Dstatcom Integrated Distribution Systems Using Enhanced Hunter–Prey Optimization, Pappu Soundarya Lahari, Varaprasad Janamala

Mansoura Engineering Journal

With the rapid and significant growth of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Distributed Generation (DGs), such as Photovoltaic (PV) deployment, in the distribution system, it is essential to address the challenges of rising power losses, voltage fluctuations, and reactive power imbalances. Optimal DSTATCOM placement in PV-EV integrated systems to mitigate power quality issues is an effective solution. It is thus necessary to evaluate the economic considerations of such heavily compensated networks. This study proposes Enhanced Hunter-Prey Optimization (EHPO) to assess the net savings of the PV-EVCS-DSTATCOM integrated IEEE-33,69, and 118 bus distribution networks in both single and multi-objective modes. The multi-objective …

Evaluating Ai-Driven Sustainable Neuro-Urbanism Through A Human-Centered Framework: The Case Of Ras Elbar City, Egypt, Esraa Elazab, Ahmed Eltawil

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study applies and evaluates a previously developed human-centered framework for AI-driven sustainable neuro-urbanism through a case study of Ras Elbar City, Egypt. Building on earlier conceptual research that integrated artificial intelligence (AI), neuroscience-informed design, and sustainability principles, this paper seeks to test the framework’s practical relevance in the context of a developing coastal city. Using qualitative evaluation methods, including field observation and spatial assessment, the research examines twelve key urban design elements such as green spaces, mobility networks, lighting, and soundscapes. Each element is analyzed across three dimensions: neuro-urbanism goals, AI integration, and sustainability outcomes. The findings show that …

Systematic Design And Optimization Of Porous Bone Plates Using Taguchi Method And Finite Element Analysis, Aliaa A. Farraj, Tawakol A. Enab, Hanan M. Amer, Mostafa A. Elbahloul

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Solid bone fixation plates, although clinically effective, often induce stress shielding and impair periosteal blood flow due to their mismatch in stiffness with cortical bone. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes lattice-engineered porous bone plates designed to balance mechanical integrity and biological compatibility. A systematic parametric investigation was conducted by varying three design variables: crystal structure type (diamond, fluorite, and gyroid), porosity levels (50%, 70%, and 90%), and structure layout. Three-dimensional models were developed using nTopology, and finite element analysis (FEA) was performed under a static compressive load to evaluate stress distribution. A Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was employed …

Una To Put Names On 2 Buildings, Jennifer Edwards

Documents

the naming of the Academic Commons Building and the new Science and Technology Building at UNA

The Science And Technology Building University Of North Alabama, Barbie Hampel-University Advancement

Documents

Brochure and floor plans for the New Science and Technology Building at UNA

University Of North Alabama Science And Technology Building Grand Opening And Ribbon Cutting, University Of North Alabama

Documents

Invitation to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for the new Science and Technology Building at UNA

Florence State Prepares For Jet Age Needs With New, Expanded Facilities, Tommy Hill

Documents

News article from The Birmingham News about the expanded facilities at Florence State College

Construction Projects Picking Up At Una Again, Jennifer Edwards

Documents

Demolition of Floyd Hall and other talk of new construction for The University of North Alabama

Location Set For Una Science Building, Bernie Delinski

Documents

Talk on new Science building at The University of North Alabama

Scientist Floyd Retires At Florence State, Jack Bridges

Documents

Dr. Homer H. Floyd's retirement from Florence State College

The Role Of Transformable Facade Technologies In Enhancing The Architectural Environment Quality In Educational Buildings, Waad Marawan Elashry, Ahmed Eltantawy Elmaidawy, Esraa Elazab

Mansoura Engineering Journal

In recent times, Educational Buildings development has become an increasingly important issue at all locations, even in the areas with the least means. Progress in the field of technology has impacted the development of architecture and modern technologies have provided for the architect enormous possibilities in the formation and design of buildings. The facade of a building plays a crucial role in providing environmental comfort, depending on the type of envelope and design. Architects and engineers need to consider many issues when working with facade designs, including environmental issues, aesthetic appearance, comfort of building occupants, and the view; these aspects …

Documenting For Success: A Case Study Of A Graduate Writing Retreat, Elliott Rose, Denise Wetzel, Sara C. Kern, Katie O'Hara-Krebs, Laurin Davis, Salah Seoudi, Carmen Cole

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Graduate students often find themselves balancing the demands of research and writing while managing complex academic and personal needs. Writing retreats provide an intentional space for graduate students to focus on their academic goals while supporting community-building, institutional belonging, and a welcoming environment. This proposal outlines a model for academic librarians and staff to plan and implement an effective graduate writing retreat designed to support graduate student academic activities through intentional collaboration and documentation.

Penn State University’s (PSU) Graduate Student Writing Retreat started as an event housed within the University Library’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) department. The retreat …

Sustainable Guiding Framework Of The Egyptian Rural Development Initiative (Hayah Karima), Eman Badawy Ahmed

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The Hayah Karima initiative launches to improve the standard of living for the most needy community groups across the Egyptian countryside, and it also contributes to improving the quality of services provided to the neediest villages. The research aims to propose a guiding framework for sustainability in villages of the Hayah Karima Initiative to achieve Egypt’s Sustainable Vision 2030. To achieve the goal, the research will study the goals, strategies, and principles of the Hayah Karima Initiative, the Egypt Vision 2030, COP 27, the sustainability evaluation criteria, and the Green Villages Initiative. Consequentially, in addition to A questionnaire to measure …

Preliminary Proportion Limits And Ultimate Strengths Of Steel Box Girder Using Different Codes, Amira Akram Ahmed Tolba, Nabil Said Mahmoud, Saad Eldeen Mostafa Abdrabou

Mansoura Engineering Journal

— Steel Box Girder (SBG) bridges represent a widely used structural solution for both straight and curved bridges of moderate spans, owing to their high torsional rigidity, significant bending resistance, and rapid construction characteristics. This study provides a comprehensive theoretical comparison of the preliminary proportion limits, shear resistance design strength, and flexural resistance design strength in both positive (sagging) and negative (hogging) moment regions of SBG bridges. The comparison encompasses major bridge design specifications (BDS), including those of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Egyptian Code of Practice (ECP 207 – Part 6), and the …

Self-Aware Quantum-Inspired Routing Framework For 6g And Quantum Networks, Haitham M. Abdelghany, Mohamed M. Ashour

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This paper introduces a quantum-hybrid-aware routing framework that incorporates the concepts of quantum computing with meta-cognitive learning to improve adaptability, reliability, and awareness in dynamic quantum networks. The proposed system accommodates a new IoT, edge computing and 6G system, where routing schemes should be flexible and robust and have cross-topology functionality. Conventional methods of quantum reinforcement learning can be characterized by a trade-off between exploration and decision stability. To cope with this, the proposed self-aware hybrid architecture is a combination of quantum-enhanced learning and a meta-cognitive awareness layer to allow autonomous agents to monitor performance and adjust routing strategies on …

The Effect Of Polyester And Lycra Loop Lengths On The Recovery Properties Of Single Jersey Knitted Fabrics, Abdelmonem Fouda, Moaaz Eldeeb

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Knitted fabrics are well known for their comfort due to their ability to elongate in the wale direction at the expense of the course direction, and vice versa. However, they lack dimensional stability, especially single jersey knitted fabrics. To address this issue, Lycra threads have recently been incorporated into their production to improve shape recovery after stress is released. Despite this enhancement, the fabric does not fully return to its original shape, highlighting the need to measure this phenomenon accurately. This study aims to firstly: simulate the production of a frame designed to measure the recovery and elongation of knitted …

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Saf) From Used Cooking Oil (Uco) In Egypt: Opportunities And Challenges., Lamiaa Abdallah

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Global aviation sector contributes nearly 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. Aviation is hard-to-decarbonize sector due to the high energy densities required for aircraft. Commercial aviation is fueled by kerosene-based jet fuel. Alternatives for this carbonbased fuel include electric batteries, hydrogen fuel, and SAF. Electric batteries have very low energy densities. Hydrogen would require a complete change of the aviation system, including fuel & airport infrastructure. SAF is the only viable option in the short to medium term. SAF is produced from sustainable feed-stocks (like agricultural oils), with no embodied carbon. Existing airplanes can use traditional fuel blended with up to …

Optimized Deep Learning Framework With H2o For Lung Cancer Prediction, Walaa Hassan Ibrahim, Mohamed S. Saraya, Sally M. Elghamrawy, Ali I. Eldesouky

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The automatic diagnosis of lung cancer using chest X-ray (CXR) images has significantly advanced with progress in computing, machine learning, and deep learning. However, detecting lesions and nodules remains challenging due to CXR limitations. Early lung cancer detection is critical for successful treatment, but current AI algorithms often rely on large annotated datasets, which are not always available. To address this, a novel multi-classification deep learning framework is proposed that combines CXR and CT images. This approach leverages the detailed feature detection capabilities of CT scans alongside the complementary views from CXRs, improving early-stage lung cancer detection and classification precision. …

Physiological And Neurological Impact Of Biophilic Design In Architectural Design Studios: A Case Study Of King Salman International University, Islam Ashraf Mohamed, Alaa El-Eishy, Marwa A. Soliman

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Biophilic design integrates nature into architecture to enrich sensory and cognitive experiences, enhance psychological well-being, and improve performance. This study explores its physiological and neural effects in design studios at King Salman International University through an experimental methodology combining theoretical review and lab-based investigation. Tools included electrocardiography (ECG) for heart rate variability (HRV), eye-tracking for visual attention, and the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) for emotional evaluation. Nine participants viewed five digital architectural scenes with varying biophilic integration. Direct nature connections elicited greater visual attention, pleasure, and perceived control, indicating higher engagement and relaxation.  A scene lacking biophilic elements led to reduced …

Population Satisfaction Indicators Of The Quality-Of-Life Standards During The Work Trip (A Case Study Of The Cities Of Minia And New Minia), Shimaa Mohammed Hamdy Derbala, Amna Waz Amgad Ali

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The research examined the indicators of population satisfaction with the quality of life during work trips in the cities of Minia and New Minia, in relation to the problem of low urban communication between the two cities and the continued dependence of debtors on each other to provide employment opportunities. The research examined previous studies linking the quality of life of work trips to the environmental, social and psychological aspects of the movement and economy, A questionnaire was designed for a sample of the population (388 individuals) to assess the residents' impression of the quality of life during their work …

Strategies For Sustainable And Inclusive Outdoor Wayfinding In Healthcare Facilities: An Approach To Enhance User Experience At Kafr Alsheikh University Hospital, Egypt, Rania Abd Allateef Ghanam, Ahmed Salah El-Deep

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Outdoor wayfinding plays a critical role in shaping user experience in healthcare environments, where inadequate navigation can heighten stress and hinder timely access to care. Despite the presence of wayfinding systems in many hospitals, outdoor navigation remains underexamined and inconsistently addressed in design guidelines. This study fills this gap by investigating architectural strategies to enhance outdoor wayfinding and reduce user stress. The research focuses on Kafrelsheikh University Hospital in Egypt and applies a twophase methodology: (1) a comprehensive literature review to identify current principles, guidelines, and best practices in outdoor wayfinding, and (2) an on-site case study to assess existing …

The Impact Of Integrating Social Benefit Requirements For Urban Green Infrastructure And Place Identity Attributes To Enhance The Sense Of Place - Case Study Of Central Park, Madinaty, New Cairo City, Egypt, Ibrahim Magdi Mohammed, Rehab Abdelfatah Abdel Aziz Mahmoud

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This research develops an integrated model that links the social benefit requirements of Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) with the non-physical attributes of Place Identity (PI) to enhance the Sense of Place (SOP) in contemporary urban environments. The need for this integration arises from limitations in current planning frameworks, which often prioritize ecological performance while overlooking cultural, perceptual, and behavioral dimensions that shape user attachment and belonging. The study adopts an inductive and synthesis-based approach to identify key UGI indicators across environmental, social, economic, and spatial dimensions, alongside PI attributes related to places’ legibility, uniqueness, publicness and territoriality, place’s identification. To …

Enhancing Thermal Energy Storage Efficiency Using Optimized Concrete Materials: A Review, Ahmed Mohamed Abbass, Ahmed M. El-Khayatt, Khaled A. Eltawil

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The increasing global energy demand and the environmental impact of fossil fuels necessitate the development of sustainable energy solutions. Solar energy is a promising alternative, but its intermittency and inefficiency limit its widespread adoption. This study explores the role of advanced concrete-based thermal energy storage systems in addressing these challenges. Key aspects examined include packing density optimization, high-temperature performance, and hydrothermal durability of concrete. The research highlights the importance of granulometric optimization, binder selection, and hydration mechanisms in enhancing concrete properties. Additionally, the effects of heat exposure on concrete durability, permeability, and mechanical strength are analyzed, with a focus on …

Optimized Thermal Management Of Cylindrical Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Circular Fins And Forced Air-Cooling, Mohamed M. Donia, Ahmed A. Hegazi, Mohamed A. Aziz, Osama Abdelrehim

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS) is vital for maintaining the optimal performance, safety, and longevity of electric vehicle batteries by keeping their temperature within a desired range. This study proposes an optimized cooling solution for BTMS based on both experimental and numerical investigations. Experimental tests were performed on a single battery cell under discharging rates of 1C, 2C, 3C, and 4C using an electronic load, with thermal performance evaluated under natural convection. Numerical models simulating both forced and natural convection were developed using ANSYS 19.3, and a combined Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach was …

Verification Of Offline Signature Based On A Hybrid Dense-Attention-Residual-Cnn Structure Optimized By Grey Wolf Algorithm, Zeyad T. Salim, Mahmoud M. Saafan, Eman M. El-Gendy

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Signature verification is a necessary vision task with prevalent use in securing realworld applications. Offline signature is a popular type that needs to efficacious approach to be checked due to the depending on the paper time and the written tool. The progress in intelligent algorithms participates in supporting simple way authentication-based signatures. In this research work, an offline signature verification (OSV) based on an optimized and costumed convolutional neural network(CNN) infrastructure is suggested. The CNN is costumed by integrating residual, dense, and attention mechanisms, then optimized by applying a grey wolf optimization(GWO) algorithm. The system is trained and tested with …